Brenda Hale selected for election

Current Lagan Valley MLA Brenda Hale, whose constituency office is based in Dromore, has been selected by the DUP as one of the four candidates to contest the Stormont Assembly election in May.

Mrs Hale will be joined by her fellow DUP Assembly members Jonathan Craig, Paul Givan and Edwin Poots to seek election to represent the Lagan Valley constituency,

Mrs Hale, whose husband Captain Mark Hale was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009, first ran for election in 2011 and is hoping her hard work over the past four years will encourage voters to support her once again later this year.

Mrs Hale, who has a degree in Social Policy and Criminology, trained as a classroom assistant and worked for many years with children in mainstream schools with special education needs.

She has actively campaigned during her term to improve conditions for soldiers and veterans in the UK.

Despite a natural interest in politics, she believes it is her “real world” experience, rather than her political experience that will engage the electorate in the upcoming election.

“I was pleased to be endorsed with my colleagues unanimously and ratified by the Party Execuitve to stand in the forthcoming elections,” said Mrs Hale.

“It has been an honour to work for the people of Lagan Valley for the last four years, and to have been able to support and encourage people and community projects.

“If I am privileged enough to be reelected I will continue to work diligently and consciencely for the people of Lagan Valley.

“I want to see Lagan Valley reach its fullest potential and that will require hard work, cooperation and vision but all this is achievable.”

As well as representing the people of Lagan Valley, Mrs Hale is currently a member of the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Regional Development Committee.

She also represents the Party of the Assembly All Party Group on Cancer and the Assembly All Party Group on Human Trafficking.

Mrs Hale is also a Political Member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.